Batemans Bay - Superb southern parks

A few hours south from Sydney, there is a charming strip of unspoilt coastline offering pristine beaches, picturesque seaside towns and quaint rural villages.

For about 500 kilometres from Sydney to the border of Victoria, the south coast contains no fewer than 10 separate national and marine parks. The coastal route along the Princes Highway forges its way past a string of national parks and state forests. It runs alongside mountain chains, white sand beaches, and bays leaping with fish, dolphins and whales.

Each national park has its own special charms, from the world's whitest sand beaches and abundant wildlife, to pristine shingle beaches and rugged headlands.

On route south, you'll find Kiama, famous for its blowhole; the stunning subtropical Minnamurra rainforest; and the long, caramel expanse of Seven Mile Beach.

Stroll through Bouderee National Park and discover forests, deserted beaches and headlands. At Pebbly Beach in Murramarang National Park, kangaroos wander around the beach and gather on the grassy dunes to graze.

Inland from the picturesque harbour of Ulladulla is the giant Morton National Park, marked by the prominent Pigeonhouse Mountain offering magnificent views of peaks, ocean, isolated beaches and gum forests.

Don't miss the coastal resorts of Batemans Bay and Narooma with its unspoilt beaches and nearby Montague Island – a hang-out for juvenile seals and a breeding colony for thousands of birds.